BILLY MAYERL - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 153946

BILLY MAYERL
Small 6½x8½ b/w photo by Claude Harris of pianist Billy Mayerl sitting with his hands in his pockets in a pinstriped three-piece suit, signed in print
Photograph signed in print "Billy Mayerl". Lead pencil and black crayon notations on verso in unknown hand. B/w, 6½x8½overall, 5¾x7½ image, one surface, printed on cardstock. Photo by Claude Harris of London, England, with photo credit in bottom left corner and stamped on verso in black ink. British pianist and composer Mayerl (1902-1959) was known for his flashy but classic style, which combined agile fingerwork and popular tunes, especially American tunes. He studied music at Trinity College Music as early as seven. But equally important was his playing at dances and silent movies in his teens, which gave him opportunities to improvise and hugely influenced his composing and playing. He played for Bert Ralton's Havana Band at London's Savoy Hotel, which gave frequent performances on BBC radio, from 1922 to 1926. Mayerl also started a correspondence course, How to Play Like Billy Mayerl, which lasted until 1957. He rejoined the BBC and toured Australia and New Zealand after the war. Mayerl also composed 300 pieces, including his signature tune, Marigold. Lightly toned, soiled, stained, creased and bowed. Tack holes in top and bottom right corners and in left and bottom edges. Light impressions from notations on verso on image (not visible head-on). Otherwise in fine condition.